Buying Advice Help me find a tractor to manage my 40 wooded acres

[carlhwv]

Newbie here. I found this thread as I just bought a 50 acre tract in TN. It's go some hills, a lot of mature timber, and a beautiful home site. Been thinking about the capibilities of my 3720 and pretty much figured I need something with more power. Does fine working around the house, but not sure it will be good in the woods with r4s and I believe it's under powered.

After reading the thread, I reviewed a lot of the tractors recommended. Interesting enough, I was leaning toward something in the 70+ hp range.... Honestly a bit large, but Im thinking about the tasks and trying to size comparatively.

I'm going to need to maintain a 1000 foot gravel drive. Not worried too much about snow, but more about keeping the drainage in good shape. I'll need to skid some mature tress...20-36" in good size lengths and also pick them for placement on a portable saw mill.

Finally, I want to do as much of the dirt work, after initial escalation and the building of the lane, myself and will prolly get a hoe and put in my septic. I've also got about 15 acres in hay so at the least I'll want to mow it.

Based on this, what's the experince from those how have done similar tasks? I'm still thinking utility size, but leaning more toward the 5000 green series or something similar in orange. Thoughts? Am I over compensating for other issues?...

 

[TJP89]

Newbie here. I found this thread as I just bought a 50 acre tract in TN. It's go some hills, a lot of mature timber, and a beautiful home site. Been thinking about the capibilities of my 3720 and pretty much figured I need something with more power. Does fine working around the house, but not sure it will be good in the woods with r4s and I believe it's under powered.

After reading the thread, I reviewed a lot of the tractors recommended. Interesting enough, I was leaning toward something in the 70+ hp range.... Honestly a bit large, but Im thinking about the tasks and trying to size comparatively.

I'm going to need to maintain a 1000 foot gravel drive. Not worried too much about snow, but more about keeping the drainage in good shape. I'll need to skid some mature tress...20-36" in good size lengths and also pick them for placement on a portable saw mill.

Finally, I want to do as much of the dirt work, after initial escalation and the building of the lane, myself and will prolly get a hoe and put in my septic. I've also got about 15 acres in hay so at the least I'll want to mow it.

Based on this, what's the experince from those how have done similar tasks? I'm still thinking utility size, but leaning more toward the 5000 green series or something similar in orange. Thoughts? Am I over compensating for other issues?...

Your right that the 3720 won't cut it. 70HP might be a bit much, but if you want to... Not sure about BH on things that size. Maybe look just a step down to 60HP, I know you can get a BH with those. Also, hills. Big tractor, higher CG, with hills = not good. Just keep that in mind.

Brand- JD, if you want a hoe, the E series is out. The M and R are big money, too much IMO. Kioti bias here, but they're good machines. The NX goes to 60HP, in HST and comes with a BH option. The RX is at 63 and 70 HP, power shuttle, don't know about a BH. Kubota has a bunch of M options in that range. There are others, LS, mahindra, New Holland (the 75 HP NH really impressed me).

 

[Btown]

My dealer says he doesn't even stock the T454 since the T554 is only something like $400 more.

Wow only $400 more for a turbo and 10 more hp. That's a deal. I think the price difference at Cabela's was around $1,000.

 

[ripHST]

Congrats....that's a fine looking tractor. Gotta get moving on my search...........

 

[grm61]

Newbie here. I found this thread as I just bought a 50 acre tract in TN. It's go some hills, a lot of mature timber, and a beautiful home site. Been thinking about the capibilities of my 3720 and pretty much figured I need something with more power. Does fine working around the house, but not sure it will be good in the woods with r4s and I believe it's under powered.

After reading the thread, I reviewed a lot of the tractors recommended. Interesting enough, I was leaning toward something in the 70+ hp range.... Honestly a bit large, but Im thinking about the tasks and trying to size comparatively.

I'm going to need to maintain a 1000 foot gravel drive. Not worried too much about snow, but more about keeping the drainage in good shape. I'll need to skid some mature tress...20-36" in good size lengths and also pick them for placement on a portable saw mill.

Finally, I want to do as much of the dirt work, after initial escalation and the building of the lane, myself and will prolly get a hoe and put in my septic. I've also got about 15 acres in hay so at the least I'll want to mow it.

Based on this, what's the experince from those how have done similar tasks? I'm still thinking utility size, but leaning more toward the 5000 green series or something similar in orange. Thoughts? Am I over compensating for other issues?...

Tennessee? gets plenty hot and humid if I remember correctly .
You might consider a factory cab model with heat and A/C, I sure enjoy mine.

 

[carlhwv]

Don't think cab would be best bet for woods work.

 

[grm61]

I went to visit my new baby today at the dealership. The EA grapple is already attached and looks awesome. I should be able to take her home in the next week or so.

Just went back a couple pages and seen you were working on a purchased
Nice! :thumbsup:
Hope it all works out.:drink:

 

[grm61]

Don't think cab would be best bet for woods work.

I here ya, there are mods folks have done to protect the cab, I think maybe tripleR? had some pics of his brotheres? rig maybe he will chime in.
Your getting ready to spend a chunk of coin....make sure you won't regret not getting one.

 

[AllenArmory]

I just wanted to let everyone know my tractor was delivered last week and thank everyone who helped me choose. I have a new TYM T554 HST with a cab. I also have a brush mower, box blade and EA grapple. I tried out the grapple but I couldn't seem to pick up that much. I used the brush hog a bit, but ran out of time. I have a lot to learn!

 

[DT86]

Looking good!

With time you'll be able to pick up lots of stuff with your new grapple. Practice makes perfect, after all.

A grapple is one of those things that makes you wonder how you ever got along with out.